Improvement in connecting-links for chains



J. MANN.

' CONNECTING LINKS FOR CHAINS. 185 031 Patented Dec. 5, 1876.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MANN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF OF'HIS RIGHT TOMANN BROTHERS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONNECTING-LINKS FOR CHAINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185,037, dated December5, 1876; application filed September 23, 1876.

ter to DANIEL MANN, both of same place,) have made certain Improvementsin Connecting-Links for Chains, of-which the fol- .lowing is aspecification:

This invention relates to an independent coupling-link, conforming ingeneral appearance to the usual oblong link ofchain's, and is for thepurpose of coupling or uncoupling two loose ends of a chain, or one endto a ring, staple, or any other attachment; and the invention consistsin constructingthe said link of two equal halves, attached and swingingopen in the center on a pivot or pin, the ends being beveled and lappingon each other, and each being provided with a feather or lug, with acorresponding recess to receive the lug when closed, to preventspreading, 850., all as hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the link closed; Fig. 2, aplan of one-half of the link; Fig. 3, a side elevation, showing itsconnections. v

A A represent the two parts or halves of I the coupling-ring, bothconstructed alike, and

with the ends flattened or beveled ofi, as shown at a a, Figs. 2 and 3,so that one part shuts over the other when closed, presenting anunbroken and smooth surface, as in Figs. 1 and 3.

The two halves are held together by a center pin or pivot, b, which isfastened to onehalf, the other half swinging open, or .both may be looseon the pin.

On the inside of each of the flattened ends aa are short uprightlugsorfeathers 00, which shut into corresponding recesses or openings-d d ineach opposite half. This is to prevent'any spreading by an undue strainon the chain, and when the chainv is attached locks and binds the wholetogether. The parts are made of steel or iron, to insure strength.

' The connection with a chain is made as follows: The two ends areopened by the fingers, and the end linkof a chain is first put over oneof the flat ends a, and then over the other. The link is then over bothof the parts of one end. To unite it to the other end of the chain, theopposite ends of the link are then opened, and the other end link firstput over one end, a, and then the other, as at the opposite end, and thelink shut, where it stays and cannot be opened by any jarring, wear,draft, or shaking. It is only opened by the hand separating the twohalves and swinging them apart, and taking the chainlink from each endpiece a a at a time.

There is no spring connected with it. It is strong and not liable tocome apart, or to be broken in any way, and, in fact, is stronger thanthe usual chain-link. It is operated without punch, hammer, or rivet,and no amount of shaking or twisting will unhookit.

I claim a In combination with the two centrally-pivoted halves A A, thelugs c c, and corresponding recesses d d, constructed and operatingsubstantially as and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of.two subscribing witnesses.

. JAMES MANN.

Witnesses:

J. P. DRAKE, DANIEL MANN.

